Over 1 000 enrol for ARVs in Mochudi

By BOPA

Females are still more active in the fight against HIV/AIDS and utilise available programmes more than their male counterparts.

A health report for Kgatleng District indicates that 1 094 people are enrolled on the ARV therapy as of January, and that 666 of them are females and 420 are males.

The statistics provided also show that 3 832 people had tested during the same period and that 2 508 were females and 1 324 males.

Addressing the Kgatleng District Council last week, council chairperson Jerry Rasetshwane said it is also a foregone conclusion that fewer males are under ARV therapy simply because few of them have undergone HIV/AIDS tests.

Rasetshwane said another disaster that has affected the country is that of diarrhea, and that a total of 1 035 cases had been reported and 18 deaths recorded. He said 11 of those who died were in the PMTCT programme.

He, however, said the outbreak is showing signs of decline.

He said the PMTCT programme went on well in the last quarter of last year and that of the 68 babies tested at 18 months of age during that period none of them was positive.

On Community Home Based Care, Rasetshwane said there are 290 patients, and that 110 of them are assisted with food baskets on a monthly basis.

He also said there are 45 potential orphans who are assisted as needy students under the destitute programme.

On the orphan care programme in general, Rasetshwane said his council is assisting 1 919 orphans as compared to 1 911during the same period last year.

He said they are assisted with food baskets, toiletry, uniforms and other school necessities. Rasetshwane also informed council that they are currently providing for 824 destitute as compared to 1 021 last year. He also said there are 693 needy students and 26 children in need of care.

The construction of one destitute family house has been completed at Mabalane, another one is under construction in the same village.

The department is also working on logistics to renovate two destitute houses at Oodi and Rasesa.

Commenting on the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP), Rasetshwane said his council has supplied RADs beneficiaries at Kgomodiatshaba settlement with 300 goats and that 20 beneficiaries will each be given 15 goats.